Maxim Vorovski is the new KOK Interim World Middleweight Champion. The hard-hitting veteran defeated Norway’s Andreas Iversen before a limited audience Saturday night in Tallinn, Estonia. The title fight headlined KOK 89, broadcast worldwide on KOK Fights TV and FightBox HD.
Vorovski (33-5-1) did his best work with his hands, working the body and scoring with clean left hooks and right hands over the top. The Estonian also scored with clean low kicks en route to winning a unanimous decision over the tough Iversen (16-5).
“First of all, I would like to thank God that I became victorious. I have a huge respect for Andreas. He’s really strong fighter,” Vorovski told ring announcer Rytis Kuzmenka after the fight.
“He fought til the end very hard. I was focused from the first second of the first round til the last second of the last round.”
“I want to thank everybody who tuned in. I want to thank Mr. Donatas Simanaitis KOK for giving me this opportunity. This is my first (title) opportunity for 16 years in the pro so this is really big for me.”
“I would never won this belt without my family, my parents. So I’m just happy. Thanks everybody.”
“Next is gonna be vacation with my family,” he said when asked what’s next.
Iversen, a world champion in Muay Thai, praised the new champion.
“Of course, he won. I gave it my all in there,” he said.
“I know he was a strong opponent. That’s why I took the fight. I don’t want any easy fights. I want to fight for the title,” said Iversen.
Remmer Too Much for Holmberg
In the co-main event, KOK 85 WGP winner Ott Remmer (27-11) put on a dominant performance against Finland’s Oskari Holmberg (0-2).
Remmers quickly cornered his opponent and scored an eight count with a flurry of punches, before dropping Holmberg with a low kick to the Finn’s rear leg. Holmberg got up slowly from the kick and was counted by the referee.
Holmberg held on at times to weather Remmer’s pressure. In the second, Remmer hurt him with an inside low kick before finishing him with another kick to the inside of Holmberg’s leg.
It’s the third straight stoppage win from low kicks for Remmer, who looks ready for a match with a top 5 lightweight contender.
Rimkenzo Wins International Debut in Spectacular Fashion
Fighting for the first time outside Lithuania, popular lightweight Dovydas “Rimkenzo” Rimkus (7-0) was given a tough battle by Finland’s Kristoffer Bjorkskog (10-2).
Bjorkskog connected with some solid punches on Rimkus, who fought with his hands low and moved looking for openings.
The referee deducted a point from Bjorkskog in the second round for clinching behind the head with two hands before throwing a knee.
Late in round three, Rimkus ended the bout in dramatic fashion. He moved forward with a three punch combination before throwing a high kick that connected and knocked Bjorkskog out instantly.
In other main card action, Astrid Johanna Grents (4-1) defeated tough Sigrid Kapanen (11-3) by split decision in an all-Estonian ladies bout. Finland’s Miina Sirkeoja (1-1) outpointed Okva Maarja (4-2) by unanimous decision. Sergei Strinza (18-6) won a unanimous decision against Omar Tugarev (10-5) in an MMA Bushido rules contest.
KOK 89 Hero’s Series Results
Before the main card, the KOK 89 Hero’s Series took place. The Hero’s Series showcased young fighters competing under semi-pro kickboxing and MMA Bushido rules.
In the opening bout, 18-year-olds Stanislav Teniugin and Ilya Stepanov fought to a draw in an entertaining battle.
Karl-Margus Haud scored a 2nd round knockdown and won a unanimous decision against Aleks Sabinin.
Ukraine’s Bogdan Oleynik took Georgian Bondo Zakariadze down in all three rounds and controlled the action before winning by triangle choke submission in the last round. Both fighters made their MMA debuts.
Finland’s Stromberg Lasse won a unanimous decision against Ukraine’s Anatolii Cornobai in the second MMA match.
In another MMA bout, Lithuania’s Mantas Narbutas improved his record to 5-0. Narbutas took the back of Ilja Minin late in round one and sunk in a rear naked choke to remain unbeaten.
The Hero’s Series feature bout was a pro kickboxing bout between talented young prospects. Latvia’s Aleksandr Cerkesov (5-1) survived an early knockdown but battle back and defeated Dana Antanavicius (3-1-1) by unanimous decision.
Source- KOK 89: Maxim Vorovski Claims Interim Title in Tallinn – KickboxingZ: Kickboxing & Bare Knuckle News